West Ham United are still keen to sign Barcelona’s Alex Song this summer, according to co-chairman David Sullivan.

Speaking via the club website Sullivan revealed that the Hammers have not given up on prising the midfielder away from the Champions League winners after his season-long loan last term.

It looked unlikely that Song would agree to another spell at Upton Park ahead of next season, and after new manager Slaven Bilic captured midfielder Pedro Obiang yesterday, many ruled out any deal for the Cameroonian.

But Sullivan confirmed that was not the case. He said: “I can assure you we have not given up on Alex Song yet.

“Before Christmas Alex was outstanding and if we believe we can get him back to that sort of form and maybe with a new manager we can, we would very much like Alex to come.”

The Hammers will be competing in the Europa League next season and the Hammers’ co-chairman said the club still need more midfielders to deal with the number of games.

“We are very thin on the ground with midfielders. You do get injuries and you need back-up. We have got Europe and other games that we want to win,” he continued.

“There was not enough competition for places last season and this year we don't want the same again. If the players have a bad game they will have to fight for their position back.”

The former Arsenal man made 31 appearances for the east Londoners last term having joined for the year from Catalan giants Barcelona.